Internal-combustion engine.



. H. V. LOUGH- INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 30. m2.

Patented J an. 9, 1917.

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H. V. LOUGH; INTERNAL COMBUSTSON EHGWEX APPLICATION FILED JULY 30.1912.

Pafiented Jan.9,1917.

H. V. LOUGH.

' INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION men JULY 30. 2912.

L 21 1,9;5Qe Paizented Jan. 9, 1917.

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-n. v; LOU 6H. INTERNAL CDMBUSTIOII ENGINE.

I I APPLICATION FILED JULY 30. 1912. I I

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HECTOR, VIVIANLOUGH, OF PLAINFIELD, NEVJ JERSEY.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Application filed July 30, 1912.

b aZZ whom it may concern e Be it known that I, Hnc'ron Vrvnnr LoUoir, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at 159 East Front street, Plainfield, Union county, State of New Jersey, United States of America,- have invented a certain new and useful Internal -Coinl ustion Engine, of which the following is a'specification. :&

My invention relates to internal combustionlengines, and my object is to produce an eliicient construction having various advantages and points of novelty, as will be hereinafter set forth.

According to my invention the explosive charge is compressed into a separate combustion chamber which is arranged in a Q movable valve or member provided with ports. This is then, in the cycle of operations, moved out of communication with the compressor, or conduit from which the compressed charge enters the chamber, and the charge is ignited in the combustion chamber while the latter is closed and out of communication-with both the power cylinder and the compressor. After a suitable interval for propagating the flame in the charge, the movable combustion chamber establishes communication with a power cylinder, the charge being expanded behind the vpiston "in the power cylinder. Also, preferably, the combi'istion chamber is scavenged after the power stroke by a. charge of air. Preferably also, a plurality of pressure cylinders are provided with alined compression cylin ders, and the movable valve is rotated, with aplurality of ported combustion chamlifers therein, to receive the charges from the com pressors and to deliver the same, after .ignition, to the power cylinders in proper order. In an engine constructed according to the invention combustion takes place in a closed and non-expanding chamber so that no back pressure can be produced while the gas remains in the combustion chamber for a sufficient portion of the crank cycle to completely propagate the flame through the mixture sothat high speeds can be obtained Further, according to the invention the compression chamber is separate from the expansion chamber so that the relative -vol-.

ume of the .two chambers may be proportioned-to expand to a. much larger yolume and lower terminal pressure on the working Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

Serial No. 71.23%.

stroke so that the thermal eificiency of the engine is increased.

Further, in an engine constructed according to the invention puppet valves and eX- ternal moving parts are dispensed with, and the exhaust takes place at low pressure, so that the engine is practically noiseless.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of a two-cylinder engine constructed according to the invention, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the engine; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan taken on the line F-F Fig. '2; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line A-A Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is asimilar section on the line BB Fig. 2, Fig. 7 a horizontal section on the line C-C Fig. 2, Fig. 8 a similar View on the line D-D Fig. 2; Fig.

'9 is a section through the valve of the engine on the line E--E Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is an enlarged. section showing a part of the ignition device; Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan showing a portion of the ignition device; Fig. 12 is a. sectional elevation on the line GG Fig. 11, while Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rack shown in Fig. 11. i

In the engine illustrated the cylinders are constructed of two diameters, the portions (1, a forming the power cylinders and the portions 1) b of larger diameter acting as compressors. The piston is also formed of twoxliaiueters 0 (Z so that when it is at the bottom of its stroke an annular space is formed in the portion of an cylinder 6, and this space serves as a compression space. Between the cylinders there is situated a conical rotating valve 6 in which three combustion chambers 1, 2 and 3 are formed. These combustion chambers are provided with'ports arranged in three tiers. The top ports f register with the top or expansion chamber a of each cylinder. The second row of ports 9 registers with air ducts h']: communicating with respective air-tight crank chambers Z The bottom row of ports n registers with ports in the annular chambers of the compressors b b. In the bottom of the valve are three by-passes 0 The coinoressed aha downstrohe of the piston. At the same level as the expansion chamber transfer ports f there are provided a set or" three exhaust bypasses ca rrving the exhaust gases from the cylinder; to the exhaustchamber '22 and exhaust pipe 23 hythe passages 1' in they cinitained in the ignitcr. Insulated primary wires lead from one terminal of the induc tion coil in each ignite!" to two diametrically opposite brushes 1), (3,, b I), 1),, situated on the rotating valve. One of these coni- .nnitator brushes is shown on an enlarged scale at Fig. ii). The current is led from the battery or low-tcusiou magneto to the insulated terminal a-, from which it passes by a springfoiecc 1 to the contact roller This roller is'built up of an insulated outer shell 4 ofnnrtal supportial onrubber 5 with a. central wearing iuishing (i. the object of interposingthe rubber being toget a lirin but yiehl'ing contact, at the same time noise-- less and non-coudurting. The roller is mounted on an eccentric pin '7 :nljustably held in the member 8 as shown in Fig. 0, and may be :nljustcd by turning the pin 7.

lhe roller is carried on a geared segment 8 sliding on a dovetail piece 20 which forms partof the cylinder casting and is actuated by a pinion 9 on a, shaft 10. The second terminal of the battery or low-tension inagnote is connected to a. suitable point on theengine, as is also the second terminal of the primary coil of each igniter by the wires (3, c 0,, connecting to the valve body 21. As each ignitcr is connected to two commutator contacts it will be seen that each combustion chan'iber will receive a spark twice during each revolution of the valve, so that six ex plosions take place during oneturn of the valve.

The operation of the ei'igine is as fol-v lows :During each downstroke of the pisby-passes 0 at the bottom of the valve. The lip-stroke of the piston compresses the charge in the annular space in the cylinder 7) and forces it into one of the combustion chambers in the valve through the lowest port 7b.. The rotating valve then cuts off comninnication with the compressor Z) and holds the compr sed charge cut 0d from connnunication w' 'b any other chamber. ,c is new ignited in the the returnstroke of the second. I, -haust bypass remains open so, that the piscombustion chamber, and a Whole downstroke of the piston may, if required for instance at high speeds, be devoted to the v the second cylinder a, the pii'tiih of which is at the top. The expanding gases from the combustion chamber therefore force the second piston down. Near the bottom of the stroke the top combustion chamber port in the valveregisters with one of the two exhaust passages 24, 25 in the waist of the val re, and at the same instant, 0r s ortly after, the middle port '9 of the combu tion chamber coincides with the air duct of the crank casem, where the air is now compressed owing to the descent of the piston. This air now rushes into the combustion chamber in the valve-and drives out the burnt gases through the exhaust passage, at the same; time coolingthe valve. The eX- haust bypass in the-top of the valve is also now in connnunication with the port bf the second cylinder ('1 and has thus rcliei/ed the expansion chamber of its pressure. uring pisto i the ext'on clears out the burnt gas froip th expansion chamber. The exhaust by pass is closed, however, a little before the end of the stroke so as to imprison a small amount of gas which is compressed to approximately the expansion pressure again and fills the clearance at the endofthe cylinder. This results in a saving-0f the amount of subsequent charge necessary to fill the clear ance space and also has a cushioning effect on the piston. The valve is driven at onethird the speed of the crank shaft by means of a spiral gear 11 on this shaft which engages with a second spiral. gear. 12 fixed to a shaft 18 carried by a bracket 19 secured to the crank shaft casing. A spur gear 13 is secured to the other end of the shaft '18 and meshes with a second spur gear 14 supported in a bearing 26 formed on the cylinder casting.

'The connection from the gear 14 to the way or, groove 28 in the spindle. The other .end of the spindle is connected at 29 t0 the lower end of the valve. The spindle 15 is slidable longitudinally of the spur gear 14 and is adjustable in this direction by means of a split nut 16 engaging a flange 17 on the spindle, said nut being threaded on to the end of the hub 30 of the gear 14. The 0b-.

ject of this adjustment is to take up any wear of the tapered valve and the flange 17 is free to move sidewise in the nut 16 so that absolute concentricity need not be maintained between the valve and its driving gear.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an internal combust on engine, the combination of a power cylinder, a movable valve having a ported combustion chamber therein, a frame in which said valve moves, having a conduit for a compressed charge and a passageleading to said power cylinder, and means for moving said valve to successively establish communication between said conduit and said chamber to permit a compressed charge to enter said chamber; to cut off such communication; and to establish communication between said chamber and power cylinder, the ports of said chamber being out of communication with said passage for a period after communication with said conduit has been cut oii; and means for igniting the charge in said. chamber after'communication has been cut off from said conduit and before communication has beenestablishedthrough said passage with said power cylinder.

2. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a plurality of power cylinders, a movable casmg divided into a plurality of combustion chambers, having ports, a frame in which said casing moves, having passages leading to said power cylinders, means. for compressing charges into said chambers, when the latter are in proper position, means for moving said casing in a cycle of operations'to cause the charges to be compressed into said chambers; to out each casing -off from communication with said first-mentioned means; and to place each chamber in communication with a power cylinder through one of said passages; and means for igniting the charge in each chamber after communication has been cut oii from said first-mentioned means and before communication has been established through one of said passages with a power cylinder.

3. An internal combustion engine, .comprising in combination, a power cylinder, a combustion chamber distinct from said cylinder, a compression cylinder cooperating with said power cylinder, means for introducing a charge into said compression cylinder, means 'for establishing communication between said compression cylinder and said combustiomclianibei', to allow compressio'n of the charge into said chamber, and for cutting off said communication, a second power cylinder, means for establishing' communication between said combustion chamber and said second power cylinder, to

' cession, to

into said chambers, and for cutting off said said combustion cnamber, to allow compression of the charge into said chamber, and for cutting off said communication, a second power cylinder, means for establishing communication between said combustion chamber and said second power cylinder, to allow expansion of the ignited gases in said cylinder, and nieans'for subsequently introducing a charge of scavenging air'into said combustion chamber.

5. internal combustion engine comprising in combination a pair of power cylinders, a plurality of combustion chambers distinct from said cylinders, a compression cylinder coiiperating with each of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in proper sequence, means for establishing communication between each of saidcompression cylinders and said combustion chambers in suea. low compression of said charges communication, and means for establishing communication between each of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow of the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compression cylinder of the other power cylinder. I

6. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, a pair of power cylinders, a plurality of combustion chambers distinct from said cylinders, a compression cylinder coiiperating with each of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in proper sequence, means ior establishing communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow compression of said charges into said chambers, and for cutting of? said communication, means for establishing communication between each of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow of the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compression cylinder of the other power cylinder, and means for subsequently establishing communication between said combustion chambers, in successlon, and

the other sideiof the piston in each of said compression cylinders in order to introduce charges of scavenging air .intosaid chambers. 1 a

7 {An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, a pair of power cylinders, av plurality'of combustion chambers distinct from said cylinders, a compression cylinder cooperating with each 'of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges intm-said compression cylinders in proper sequence, means for establishing communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambers in; succession, toallow compression of said charges into said chambers, and for cuttiugofi' said communication, means for establishing communication between each of said power vcylinders and said combustion chambers in succession,ito allow of the expansion in one. power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compression cylinder of the other power cylinder, and means for subsequently introducing a charge of scavenging air into: each of said combustion chambers. a v

8. An internalv combustion engine, comprising in combination, a plurality of power cylinders' aplurality of combustion chambers distinct --from.said cylinders, a compression cyl-indencoiiperating with each of,

said power cylinders, means for introducing chargesinto said compression cylinders in proper sequence, means for establishing communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambersin succession, to allow compression of said charges into said chambers, and for cutting off said communication, and means for establishing communication .be-

tweeneach of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to all w of the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compression cylindenof another-power cylinder.

9. Am -internal combustion engine, comprising in combination, a plurality of power cylinders,.a: plurality of combustion chambers distinct 'froin said cylinder, a compression cylinder cooperating with each of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into "said compression cylinders in proper-sequence, means for establishing: communication between each of saidcompression cylinders and said combustion chambers n succession, and to allow compression of said charges into said chambers, forcutting off said communication, means for estabiishingcommunication be tween each offsaid powercylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow of the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compession cylinder of another power cylinder, and

.pression cylinders and means for subsequently establishing communication between said combustion chambers, in succession, and the other side of the piston in each of said compression cylinders in order to introduce charges of scavenging air into said chambers.

10. An internal combustion engine comprising in combination, a plurality of power cylinders, a plurality of combustion chambers distinct from said cylinders, a compression cylinder coiiperating with each of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in proper sequence, means for establishing communication between each of said comsaid combustion chambers in succession, to allow compression of said charges into said chambers, and for cutting of? said communication, means for establishing communication between each of said power cylinders and said combastion chambers in succession, to allow ot' the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compression cylinder of another power cylinder, and means for subsequently introducing a charge of scavenging air into each of said combustion chambers.

11. An internal combustion engine, comprising incombination apa'ir of power cylinders, a. movable casing divided into a plurality of combustion chambers, a compression cylinder cotiperating with each of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in proper sequence, and means for moving said casing to establish communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, in order to allow compresslon of said charges into said chambers; to cut oiisaid communication; and to establish communi-f cation between each of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession,

to allow of the expansion in one power'cyl "power 'C"l1Ild8IS, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in prope sequence, and means for rotating said casing to establish communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession,

in order: to allow compression of said charges into said chambers; to cut 01f said communication; and to establish communication between each of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in proper sequence, and means for movlng said casing to establish communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, in order to allow compression of said charges into saidbhamber; to cut ofl said commumcat1on;. 'and to establish communication be- ;tw'een each of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow ot the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed by the compression cylinder of another powercylinder.

14:. An internal combustion engine, comprising in combination a, plurality of power cylinders, a rotatable casing divided into a plurality of combustion chambers, acompression cylinder cooperating witheach of said power cylinders, means for introducing charges into said compression cylinders in proper sequence, and means for rotating said casing to' establish communication between each of said compression cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, in order to allow compression of said charges into said chamber; to cut ofi' said communication; and to establish communic:-tion between each of said power cylinders and said combustion chambers in succession, to allow of the expansion in one power cylinder of the gases compressed :'by the compression cylinder of another power cylinder.

15. An internal combustion engine, com prising in combination, apow-er cylinder, a combustion chamber distinct from said cylinder-and adapted to receive a charge, a

compress-ion: cylinder 'cobperating with said power cylinder, means for establishing communication between said combustion chamber' and said power cylinder to allow of the expansion of the ignited charge in the cylinder, and means for establishing communication between said chamber and one side of the piston in the compression cylinder, to force a charge of scavenging air into said chamber.

16. An internal combustion engine, comprising in combination, a power cylinder, a combustion chamber distinct from said cylinder, a compression cylinder cooperating with said power cylinder, means for introducing a charge into said compression cylinder, means for establishing communication between said compression cylinder and said chamber, to compress a charge into the latter, and for cutting ofi said communication, means for establishing communication between said combustion chamb'er and said'power cylinder to allow of the expansion of the ignited charge in the cylinder,

and means for establishing communication between said chamber and the other side of the piston in the compression cylinder, to force a charge of scavenging air into said chamber.

17. An internal combustion engine, com prising in combination a powericylinder, a movable casing having a combustion chamber therein adapted to receive a charge, a compression cylinder cooperating-with said power cylinder, a passage formed in the engine casing and communicating with said compression cylinder, a port in said movable casing leading into said combustion chamber, and means for moving said casing to establish communication between said combustion chamber and said power cylinder to allow expansion of the ignited charge in the cylinder, and for subsequently bringing said port into register with said passage to" allow the introduction of a charge of scavenging air from said compression cylinder into said chamber.

This specification signed and. witnessed this 26th day of July, 1912.

HECTOR VIVIAN LOTT Witnesses:

ALBERT E. BARKER, J OHN A. PERCIVAL. 

